Marquez lays down a marker at MotorLand, Aprilia on the chase.
The #93 makes it a first on Friday since 2021, Aprilia find some impressive form and Honda make it straight through to Q2 for the first time this season.
Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon: A Thrilling Friday in MotoGP™ Practice
Friday’s MotoGP™ Practice at the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon ended on a high note, filled with high-speed action and thrilling moments. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) topped the hour-long session, setting a new lap record. This marks his best start to a weekend since the 2021 Americas GP, as he dominated both practice sessions. Marquez finished ahead of the Aprilia Racing duo, with Aleix Espargaro securing second place and teammate Maverick Viñales close behind, giving the Noale factory team plenty to celebrate on Day 1.
The session was packed with drama and evolving stories. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) encountered early issues, delaying his run time for the #73. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) crashed at Turn 5, losing control at the front. Shortly after, Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) also lost the front at Turn 16, with both riders quickly returning to the pits.
The drama escalated as Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed at Turn 16, ending his Friday with less than a minute remaining. By this point, the timesheets were already in a frenzy.
Aprilia led until the final moments when Marquez delivered a spectacular last-lap effort to reclaim the top spot. Espargaro secured P2, while Viñales, the only rider close to challenging Marquez, settled for third.
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) finished fourth after a busy session, ending the day 0.578 seconds behind the leader. Marquez’s pace was two-tenths clear of the competition, with Aprilia riders filling the gap. Alex Marquez recovered to P5 after a delayed start and spent some time running in tandem with the #93 side of the Gresini garage.
Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia claimed sixth place as the sole Ducati Lenovo Team rider in the top 10. Enea Bastianini struggled to complete an uninterrupted lap due to late yellow flags, finishing just ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing). Bastianini, the 2022 winner, will be eager to climb the order on Saturday.
Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) made it a milestone day for Honda, taking eighth place and becoming the first Honda rider to secure direct entry to Q2 in 2024. The final top 10 spots went to Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira, making it a strong day for Aprilia with all four RS-GPs in the top ten.
As we head into Saturday, an action-packed Q1 awaits the Pierer Mobility Group riders. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and Jack Miller, along with Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez, will need to fight their way through Q1. Both Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team riders, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi, also missed the top 10, setting the stage for a fierce battle for the two available Q2 spots.
Don’t miss a moment of the action on Saturday at MotorLand Aragon. Qualifying is just the beginning, with the first-ever Tissot Sprint at the venue promising to deliver more excitement as the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon brings MotoGP™ back to Teruel in spectacular fashion.
Saturday Schedule (UTC +2):
- FP2: 10:10
- Q1: 10:50
- Q2: 11:15
- Tissot Sprint: 15:00
Moto2 Lopez leads the way with new lap record ahead of timesheets tightening up
Alonso Lopez Dominates Friday at Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon
Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp) had a flawless Friday at the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon, setting a new lap record in P1 after already leading the morning session. The #21 rider posted an impressive 1:50.989, putting him two-tenths ahead of rookie Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team). Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) secured the final spot in the top three, finishing within a tenth of the Brazilian.
The competition was tight for fourth place, with Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp) just 0.007 seconds behind Dixon. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) finished fifth, only half a tenth further back, followed closely by Albert Arenas (QJMotor Gresini Moto2™) and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team).
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) delivered one of his best performances in the intermediate class, securing P7. He was followed by Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), who rounded out the top ten. Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) just missed out on a top ten finish.
Championship leader Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) had a difficult session, finishing all the way down in P26. Fellow contender and teammate Ai Ogura, returning from injury, ended up in P17.
Additionally, the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards handed out three-place grid penalties to several riders for being slow on the racing line during P1. Penalized riders include Albert Arenas, Alex Escrig (KLINT Forward Factory Team), Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), and Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team).
Alonso edges out Rueda as Moto3™ returns to MotorLand
David Alonso Sets the Pace on Day 1 in Aragon
David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) dominated Day 1 at the Gran Premio de Aragon, breaking into the low 1:57s and finishing 0.210 seconds ahead of the competition while setting a new lap record. Right on his heels was Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who had a strong performance, completing nearly 15 laps in Practice 1. Rueda secured second place, followed by David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team), who impressed by rounding out the top three and finishing as the fastest Honda rider.
Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) finished the day in P4 but trailed by nearly eight-tenths of a second. The battle from fourth to P10 was incredibly tight, with Austria podium finisher David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) leading Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), rookie Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing), Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports), and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in a group separated by mere hundredths of a second.
Austria podium finisher Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) ended Practice 1 in P14 and will be looking to make significant progress on Saturday.
Official MotoGP Press Release
